NEETChemistryHydrocarbons
What role does zinc play in the reduction of phenol to benzene?
Options
- AZinc acts as a catalyst
- BZinc forms a complex with phenol
- CZinc acts as an oxidizing agent
- DZinc acts as a reducing agent
Correct answer
D. Zinc acts as a reducing agent
Step-by-step solution
In the reduction of phenol to benzene, zinc acts as a reducing agent, helping to remove the oxygen atom from the phenol molecule.